Edmonds-Woodway dominates

Published 12:37 am Saturday, September 8, 2007

EVERETT – Yes, it’s very early in the high school football season.

But one thing is already obvious: Edmonds-Woodway isn’t quite ready to loosen its lengthy grip on the Western Conference South Division crown.

Not even close.

In what was expected to be an ultra-competitive clash that could reveal the likely Wesco South champion, Edmonds-Woodway blasted the highly touted Mariner Marauders 54-20 Friday night in a key battle at Goddard Stadium. E-W was incredibly dominant on the line of scrimmage and zipped to a 34-0 lead en route to the lopsided victory.

So much for expectations of a close contest last year E-W held on for a one-point triumph against Mariner, but this one was essentially over midway through the second quarter.

“I thought it would have been more like the second half of last year’s game, where we’d score (and) they’d score; they’d stop us and we’d stop them,” Edmonds-Woodway coach John Gradwohl said.

But in 12 minutes, 44 seconds the amount of game time it took E-W to build a 20-0 lead it was clear the game would be nothing like the classic 2006 thriller.

Friday’s game was a matchup of teams predicted to contend for the division title; E-W was ranked No. 1 and Mariner No. 2 in The Herald’s Wesco South preseason coaches’ poll. But E-W, which has won at least a share of the last three South championships and reached the Class 4A state semifinals last season, showed its superiority early and often.

But don’t count out Mariner, Gradwohl warned.

“They’re a hell of a football team (and) they’re gonna have a hell of a year. The (final) score doesn’t mean a dang thing,” said Gradwohl, whose E-W squad improved to 2-0. Mariner is 1-1.

Looking as if it had memorized Mariner’s playbook, the E-W defense squashed the Marauders and forced three straight three-and-out possessions to start the game. Meanwhile, E-W’s offense took advantage of great field position and scored its third TD with 11:16 still remaining in the opening half.

Tailback Josh Heard used excellent blocking to run by (and often through) Mariner defenders. He tallied video game-type statistics in the first half, rushing for 184 yards and three scores on 15 carries. Heard’s third TD of the half made it 40-6.

“He’s a baller,” Gradwohl said. “He really waited in the wings last year (behind his brother, Josh Heard) and did a hell of a job being (Josh’s lead) blocker.”

Now, however, Tony Heard is the man.

Heard, a 225-pound junior, finished with 266 rushing yards and four TDs on 22 carries. He displayed a ridiculous mix of power and quickness before heading to the sideline for good a few minutes into the third quarter.

“I have to give all the credit to my (offensive line),” said Heard, who exploded through some massive running lanes. When open space was difficult to find, he still plowed through foes like a semi-truck smashing through a foam roadblock.

E-W seemed extremely well-prepared. On several occasions the Warriors defense stuffed Mariner running plays immediately after the ball was snapped. Nose guard Mose Fuga, lineman Girume Assefa, and linebackers Heard and Zack Greenberg were among E-W’s defensive standouts.

The game featured two of the county’s elite quarterbacks: E-W’s Kyle McCartney and Mariner’s Tyler Tuiasosopo. Tuiasosopo finished with more impressive stats, passing for 100-plus yards and two TDs. McCartney successfully directed an E-W that ran wild all night. He passed for 66 yards and two scores, and also had an impressive 10-yard TD run.

Antoinne Wafer, a speedy defensive back/receiver, returned an interception 90 yards for a TD and recovered a Mariner fumble as well.

At Goddard Stadium

Edmds-Woodway14267754

Mariner0128020

Edmonds-WoodwayKuses 29 pass from McCartney (Milone kick)

Edmonds-WoodwayMcCartney 10 run (Milone kick)

Edmonds-WoodwayHeard 8 run (Milone kick failed)

Edmonds-WoodwayWafer 90 interception return (Milone kick)

Edmonds-WoodwayHeard 19 run (Milone kick)

MarinerT. Dillon 11 pass from T. Tuiasosopo (pass failed)

Edmonds-WoodwayHeard 5 run (Milone kick blocked)

MarinerBlack 12 pass from Tuiasosopo (run failed)

Edmonds-WoodwayArnold 3 pass from McCartney (Milone kick)

MarinerJones 11 run (Jones pass from Tuiasosopo)

Edmonds-WoodwayHeard 25 run (Milone kick)

RecordsEdmonds-Woodway 2-0 in division and overall. Mariner 1-1, 1-1.